College of Applied Health Sciences

The College of Applied Health Sciences is often referred to as AHS. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in Interdisciplinary Health, Kinesiology, Community Health, Recreation Sport & Tourism, and Speech and Hearing Science. AHS is also home to the Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) unit, which provides services to students across campus.

The College of Applied Health Sciences can trace its roots back to 1895, when the University of Illinois established the Department of Physical Training for Men and the Department of Physical Training for Women. The College of Physical Education, later renamed the College of Applied Life Studies, formally began in 1957. It became the College of Applied Health Sciences in 2006.


Cheryl Hanley-Maxwell, dean

Cheryl Hanley-Maxwell, who earned three degrees from the University of Illinois, returned to the university as dean of the College of Applied Health Sciences in August 2016.

Hanley-Maxwell (’76 BS, ’78 MS, ’86 PHD), a native of River Forest, Illinois, spent 26 years at the University of Wisconsin, serving as associate dean and Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education in the School of Education. She was also a faculty member in the Rehabilitation Institute at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

Hanley-Maxwell, a specialist in disability, also holds an appointment as professor in the department of kinesiology and community health. Her research focuses on adolescents and young adults with disabilities—creating inclusive environments, preparing youth with disabilities for employment, and implementing community employment models.


Advancement staff

Jean Driscoll

Assistant Dean for Advancement

Chief Advancement Officer

Mark Reitan

Senior Director of Advancement

Kathy Saathoff

Office Administrator

Matt Smith

Senior Director of Advancment

Angela Tammen

Associate Director, External Engagement

Fundraising partners
Prospect Development Analyst Liaison: De’Jhaye McGrew
Manager, Research and Portfolio Management: Jane Cronkhite


Fundraising information


Learn more about AHS

Service Units

AHS oversees two service units:

DISABILITY RESOURCES AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Our campus is a leader in accessibility, and that is due in large part to this unit, often referred to as DRES. This unit works with students to find accommodations in both classroom and residential settings as the students progress through their degrees at Illinois. They recently celebrated their 75th anniversary.

Our wheelchair basketball and track and field programs are elite, and have produced dozens of Olympic medalists. Younger students from around the country come to camps run by our coaches and players during the summer.

CHEZ VETERAN’S CENTER
This center was established to help student veterans receive additional academic and peer support as they transition from military life to university environment. It is the only student veterans’ center in the country to house residential and service functions in one structure. Ronald Chez (BS ’62) and the Chez Family Foundation made the lead gift for the center in 2015.

Student and alumni demographics

Graduates/Attendees/Current Students: 28,609
Graduates: 24,476